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Time--2017 A to Z Theme

My theme for the 2017 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge was "Time". The posts are of a more philosophical, contemplative, and even autobiographical bent. No time management tips in this theme, but stuff intended to make you think.

Always a work in progress--welcome to my blog...

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Sunday, November 15, 2015

Preso (#BOTB)

It's November 15th which means the end of the year is growing nearer. It also means that it's time for another installment ofBattle of the Bands! This event which takes place on the 1st and 15th of each month was started byFar Away EyesatFar Away Series. BloggerStephen T McCarthymaintains the participant list and answers your questions about the event--you can find his blog with a list of participants atStMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.Here's what I'm asking of you: Listen to the song versions presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it. Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battles to vote on.

And now my song pick for this round of Battle of the Bands:

"Preso"

"Preso" is Spanish for "prisoner" or "imprisoned". In this song the term is used as a metaphor for being so involved in a love relationship that it's like being hopelessly ensnared. The song first appeared on the album Gracias by popular Mexican singer José José in 1981. If you're interested in hearing the original version then click here, but please don't vote on this version.

To start this Battle we have the uber romantic song styling of Cristian Castro. Mexican singing star Castro is the son of the renown actress/entertainer Verónica Castro and popular comedian/actor Manuel "El Loco" Valdes . Cristian started his acting career as a baby when he began appearing in telenovelas and commercials with his mother. In 1992 when he was still a teenager he recorded his first album and has recorded many since.

Castro's version of "Preso" stays true to the original recording by José José.

Considered by some to be a genius of pop music, Aleks Syntek first caught my attention in 2006 when I heard his amazing recording of the song Historias De Danzón Y De Arrabal (linked here in case you're interested--it's well worth hearing and the video is very nicely produced). After I bought Syntek's album Leccion de Vuelo and enjoyed it for a while I discovered Syntek's version of "Preso" on the José Josétribute album that I had owned for several years but apparently not listened to very often.

Syntek has received and been nominated for many awards for his music and his albums have garnered gold and platinum record status. He was also part of the first judging panel on the Mexican version of the television show The Voice. This is a favorite version of Guilie Castillo-Oriard who this past Wednesday introduced my song choice for the BOTB round. If you missed Guilie's guest post I hope you'll check it out. Thanks again Guilie.

Now take a listen to the techno pop version of "Preso" by Aleks Syntek.

Time to Vote!Exercise your freedom to vote! Please don't let the language deter you from enjoying these song versions--you don't have to understand the words to appreciate the music. Which song version do you like the best? Judge what you hear in the above videos. Which version do you prefer? It's up to you to help determine the winner.

Due to my schedule in the upcoming week, the winner of this Battle will be announced on Monday November 23rd. After that day, during the Thanksgiving week my posting could be sporadic to none. I'll figure that out when the time comes.Now please vote!

A-ha! Now I get how you set up this battle with your "Prisoner" topic last week. Leave it to you to find the most unusual, atypical selections for your battles. I appreciate that, Lee!

Now let me offer my analysis and vote. I wholeheartedly agree that Disco Tex could not have done justice to this song. :) When I read your intro for contestant #2, Aleks Syntek, and noticed the words "techno pop" I was all set to hate his rendition. Instead I kept an open mind and found a lot to like. Did you notice the similarities to Prince's 1986 hit "Kiss"? As much as I enjoyed Syntek's take on the old song I need to go the purist route and vote for the beautiful, romantic,traditional performance by Cristian Castro and his band. It brought tears to my eyes!

These two and I go way back (I remember them as toddlers on TV). Cristian Castro always turned me off; he came across as bland and lacking in a personality of his own. I always felt he was playing a role, several, in fact, as though he couldn't make up his mind who he wanted to be. (Spoiler: he's not getting my vote today.)

Aleks Syntek, on the other hand, always had a sparkling charm about him, unique and genuine, and always stayed very much himself even as he grew into an artist of national and then international renown. While Cristian relied on a (not so) pretty face and a relatively good voice as his tickets to success, Aleks became a well-rounded musician, and was among the pioneers in 90's Mexico of electronic music. He disappointed me by never breaking out of the pop genre; I always thought he had the talent to get into alternative scenes, but either I was wrong or he likes pop. Either way, those personal qualities of his that I admire carry over into his music: uniqueness and genuineness.

Lee, you already knew how my vote would go... I just thought I'd elaborate a bit on the reasons ;) A vote for Aleks, please...

I'm voting for Cristian Castro's version because it is so fitting for the context of the song lyrics. I just didn't like the "techno pop" version of the song and instead preferred the very romantic version by Castro. Please give him my vote.Michele at Angels Bark

LEE, you know how I generally feel about "Techno Pop". I rank it right down there with "ProgRock".

In this case, synthetic Syntek wasn't quite as "Techno" as I'd feared. But, nevertheless, I don't feel the meaning comes across as well in his Poppy, Upbeat, Kinda-Too-Happy "prisoner of loveness". I guess a person can be dancing to the idea that he's a prisoner of love but... I don't think that would be the normal reaction. I dunno.

This is a romantic song, right? So, I think it should sound romantic, and certainly the strings in the Cristian Castro version give it a dose of romance, as opposed to the disco version by yer boy Syntek.

Just to be sure, I listened to each twice. Well, I listened to CRISTIAN CASTRO twice. 1:59 of Syntek's second playing was enough to convince me my initial impression was correct. CC gets my vote.

My apologies to Guilie for disappointing her a second time. I'm a prisoner of my poor musical taste. (I mean, c'mon! Who likes cowbell and electric organs?)

Oh Goodness-no,no,no (sorry Guilie) to Aleks pepno bismal style. Hahahaaa. I had a hard time listening to the last one so, of course, it is Castro all the way for me although I still remember the original from your post last Wednesday which would beat Castro. Anyhoo Castro gets my vote by far. It is much more in keeping with the lyrics and the feel of the song for me. No offense Guilie:)

I'm too big a fan of orchestra music to vote for Aleks on a Sunday morning. I liked the musical arrangement and the smooth vocals of Christian Castro. The song had meaning, passion. May have voted for Aleks on a Saturday Night though.

Alek Syntek's version is so happy. Reminds me of a 'Happy Meal'... a drive up kind of love, pull through, and move on. Fast food, folks and fun.

But not for me ~ I want the violins, the piano, and sappy white coat. I want the garden setting among the stars - is that really too much to ask? If I'm going to be imprisoned - put me there and wait for the shooting stars!!!

Lee, I really like both artists. Each has a different style and I think that might be the deciding factor. You either want the hearts and roses flow of Castro or your-love-makes-me-wanna-dance vibes by Alek. I don't know if it's the mood I"m in this evening, we just got home from a wake, but I'm totally going for happier feel of contender #2. So, give my vote to Alek. Great battle.

I like how Latin music is still very much all about love and tender feelings, unlike the American Modern one which has lately become all kinds of bizarre :) Latin world still has sensual sounding young stars similar to the ones we remember from the older decades. I find myself turning more and more to other countries in the lack of any good modern English lg music and recently I've quite surrounded myself with French hits! They still keep it normal and genuine.

Give my vote to Aleks Syntek. Being unfamiliar with this song gives me a fresh perspective in which to judge. I think both were done very well and I would listen to either. But I like Aleks' peppier version.

I too was a bit put off by the "Techno Pop" label, but did try to keep an open mind. Sorry, Guilie! My ears were not happy. Call me old-fashioned, but I have to go with Cristian, even if he is a bit bland.

Cristian Castro sang this one like it should be sung, that uber-romantic style with the lush strings in the background. Syntek (whose name sounds like a brand of motor oil) got on my nerves after a while. Give my vote to Castro.

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

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A juggler of words and phrases. My main blog is Tossing It Out. The focus blog for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge can now be found at a-to-zchallenge.com where updates will be posted until the event in April begins.
Wrote By Rote is about memoir writing.
A Few Words is my Sunday contemplation blog.
A Faraway View is about dreams. Pick what you like or look at them all. I love blogging!